The Association of Ebonyi State Indigenes, Social Cultural in the Diaspora (AESISCD) has advised “detractors” to give the 7th Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Benard Ifeanyi Odoh, a chance to achieve the institution’s objectives and not distract him with unnecessary criticism.
In a statement signed by AESISCD president (worldwide), Ambassador Pascal Oluchukwu, and made available to LEADERSHIP Friday, the group identified Odoh’s detractors as “fifth columnists desperately working for some Ebonyi politicians”.
Oluchukwu said it is a bold visionary statement that the Professor of Geophysics wants to place the University on a global academic map, targeting to attract over N70 billion in revenue generation and make UNIZIK rank among the top five universities in Nigeria and among the top 500 in the world.
He said, “As a group, we are certain that Professor Odoh, a product of the same institution, from his first degree to a PhD level, stands on familiar ground; the university and institution that shaped him, guided him, and has now beckoned on him to provide it with visionary leadership.
“For us as global citizens, who perfectly understand the place of hard work, excellence and merit in the pursuit and fulfilment of one’s goal and purpose, we believe strongly that there is a sense of honour and responsibility in returning to these halls—not as a student but to lead as part of the custodian of the university’s future.
“Over the past nearly a decade, when Odoh came into the limelight following his appointment as a secretary to the government of Ebonyi State in 2015.
He has constantly and consistently proven that persistence would always weary resistance and that having faith and belief in one’s self is key to achieving life’s goals.
“To us, therefore, for a man who has distinguished himself in past positions, including but not limited to his roles in the same institution where he positively impacted teaching, research and scholarship funding as a personal assistant to a former vice-chancellor and later to his role as a Secretary to the Ebonyi State government, the sky is only but his starting point.
“For our beloved people of Ebonyi State, therefore, this new feat is a great lesson- to dream big and work hard towards our collective goals and visions.
“His emergence has, therefore, further placed the Ebonyi man on a high pedestal. The faith in Prof Benard Odoh strengthens his resolve to serve with commitment and vision.
“AESCID, therefore, has explicit confidence that in the midst of a community of leaders, Prof Ben Odoh will build a legacy rooted in excellence and shared purpose that would positively impact and promote teaching, learning and research excellence, leaving behind him a legacy of memorable accomplishments in the temple of knowledge.
“Already, AEISCID as a body has read about his disruptive development model blueprint unveiled to the University Community upon his assumption of office yesterday. It is a bold visionary statement that the Professor of Geophysics wants to place the University on a global academic map, targeting attracting over N70 billion in revenue generation and make UNIZIK rank among the top five Universities in Nigeria and among top 500 in the world.
“We urge every member of the university community to rally around and support the reign of Professor Odoh and call on all Ebonyi’s sons and daughters to throw their weights behind one of their own. On the other hand, we also forewarn those who are still trying to distract him, including some fifth columnists desperately working for some Ebonyi politicians to desist henceforth.
“For this diaspora group, we would support his administration and make positive contributions to ensure he succeeds in any best possible way because his success is the success of Ndi Ebonyi anyi in general!”
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